August 05, 2011

The New York Cork Report Tasting Table -- August 5, 2011

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor

These are tasting notes for some wines that have been tasted at the NYCR tasting table but won't be reviewed in standalone posts.

Bouke Wines 2010 Rose ($16): Made with cabernet sauvignon and merlot.Aromas of pomegranate, cranberry and strawberry. The strawberry is more pronounced on the round, medium-bodied palate. Mostly red fruit flavors but a hint of leafy earthiness and cinnamon candy too. Good acidity balances ripe fruitiness well.

Channing Daughters Winery 2009 Pinot Grigio ($20): Very apple-driven on the nose with a bit of lemon zest and pith and white flowers. Medium bodied with juicy, citrusy acidity that frames intense apple flavors. Superior mouthfeel, but a bit one-note. As it warms there a bit of salinity that peeks through.

Hermann J. Wiemer 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling ($17): Fruit cocktail aromas with peach, pear and apple leading the way. Palate is decidedly off-dry with just a bit too much RS for the acidity. Extremely fruity on the palate with a squirt of lime juice towards the medium-long finish. Not flabby, but not as focused as I've come to expect.

Lenz Winery 2005 Merlot ($17): Nose is plummy and cherry fruit with dusty earthiness and game meat. Attack is juicy with red fruit and more game/spice. Simple but with medium-light tannins. Shortish finish with just a hint of black pepper.

Red Newt Cellars NV Salamander White ($11): Blend of hybrids and aromatic vinifera. Fruity nose with lemon zest, Gala apple and just a hint of melon. Nearly bone dry with a tartness to the citrusy and pear flavors. Short finish but fresh with beach-and-pool acidity.

Roanoke Vineyards 2010 DeRosa ($18): Blend of merlot, cab franc, cab sauv and chardonnay. .5% RS. Scents of strawberry, kiwi, passion fruit and grape fruit with subtle peach quality as well. Ripe and fuller bodied than past vintages with gobs of red fruit-meets-citrus flavor. A distinct note of peach Jolly Rancher on the mid-palate. Dry, but definitely richer, with a juicy, snappy edge rather than the laser beam of acidity from previous editions.

Wolffer Estate Vineyards 2010 Classic White ($15): Made with LI chardonnay and riesling and gewurztraminer from Wagner Vineyards on Seneca Lake. Very fruity nose with just-ripe pineapple, melon, Golden Delicious apple and hints of honey. Very fresh, with snappy acidity. Balanced light RS, but just not very complex or interesting. Somewhat fruity, but in a hard-to-define, austere way.